German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, following a meeting with the Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Denis Becirovic, stated that "any attempt to undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina is unacceptable for Germany". Pročitaj više

The meeting covered Bosnia's European path, and Scholz emphasized that the enlargement process is based on achievements.

“Conditions must be created to comply with European laws and regulations, and there are no shortcuts for EU membership. That path is the same for all countries. I am aware this represents a significant challenge, but the reform efforts will pay off for candidate countries, as this is linked to considerable economic success and great opportunities within the EU,” said the German Chancellor.

He noted that he had very constructive discussions with Becirovic on other issues crucial for Bosnia's EU accession.

“I confirmed the support of the German government on this path. Further regional cooperation needs to be strengthened. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Berlin Process, which is an important instrument for regional cooperation. I hope BiH will ratify the agreement on mobility and adopt the declaration on energy issues,” Scholz said.

He highlighted that “Russia's aggression against Ukraine has shown how important cooperation is and that we must do something to ensure peace in Europe.”

“This war shows that peace cannot be taken for granted. I welcome that Bosnia and Herzegovina stands in solidarity with Ukraine and has clearly spoken out against Russian aggression. I hope we can take joint steps in this regard. We know that stability in the Western Balkans isn't something we can take for granted, and we need to work on it, with Bosnia and Herzegovina playing an active role. Any attempt to undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of BiH is unacceptable to us. We support the critical role of the High Representative in supporting democracy, the rule of law, and the integrity of this country. His efforts are aimed at ensuring adherence to the Dayton Agreement,” Scholz said.

He concluded that Germany will continue its mission in EUFOR, as it “contributes to the stability and progress of BiH.”